moo cards

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Well, this is quite different from the "Easiest Crochet Necklace" I've shown in the other post, and I've tried to write down an outline of this one's pattern.For any question just contact me.. I know that probably this is not so clear!Anyway, here it is:

Materials:Less than one ball of any colour cotton yarn (worsted weight)4.00mm hook

Necklace:Ch77, sc in second ch from hook and in the next 3chs.Ch76, sc in the 4th ch at the beg of previous ch loop, and in next 3chs, ch1, turn.Sc in first sc and in next 3 sc, ch80, sc in the 4 sc at the beg of previous row, ch1, turn.Sc in first sc and in next 3 sc, ch84, sc in the 4 sc at the beg of previous row, ch3 and sl st on the other side of the same closure piece to make a button hole.Sew a button on the opposite closure piece of the button hole.Make a flower of any kind (mines are just improvised!) to embellish the necklace, and sew it on the four chains strands.

I've made it even in a bright purple cotton yarn, and I'm really happy with the both.

These are very easy, and I hope you won't have problems making them.Enjoy!

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” - Billy, age 4

“Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” - Karl, age 5

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” - Chrissy, age 6

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” - Terri, age 4

“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” - Danny, age 7

“Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.” - Emily, age 8

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” - Bobby, age 7

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,” - Nikka, age 6

“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.” - Noelle, age 7

“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” - Tommy, age 6

“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.” - Cindy, age 8

“My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.” - Clare, age 6

“Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.” - Elaine, age 5

“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.” - Chris, age 7

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” - Mary Ann, age 4

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” - Lauren, age 4

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” - Rebecca, age 8

“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” - Karen, age 7

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.” - Jessica, age 8

Cast on 32 stitches with size 8 needles. Join for knitting in the round being careful not to twist.Work K2, P2 rib for 9 rounds. (the cuff was a little bit short – if you have more yarn you might want to make this a bit longer)Knit 2 rounds plain.

Gusset:Setup Round: K16, Place Marker, Increase 1, K1, Increase 1, Place Marker, Knit to end of roundRound 1: K around slipping all markersRound 2: K around slipping all markersRound 3: K to first marker, slip marker, increase 1, K to next marker, Increase 1, Slip Marker, K to end of round.

Repeat rounds 1-3 until you have 13 stitches between the markers – row 18 since the end of the ribbing.

Next Round: K around slipping all markersNext Round: K to first marker, remove marker, Bind off 12 stitches, remove marker, knit to end of round.

Cosy knitted hand/wrist warmers

Also called fingerless gloves, these quick-to-knit warmers keep wrists and the upper part of the hands toasty while preserving finger dexterity. In mildly cold weather, they can be worn as is; when it's really cold, they can be layered with gloves underneath. They are shown here in women's and men's versions. The men's pattern is great for all ages, even "cool" teenage boys who worry that handknits might be too girlish for them. One size fits just about everyone, a handy feature for gifts.

Cuff and lower handCast on 32 sts onto one circular needle. Join for working in the rnd (round), being careful not to twist, and place marker to indicate the beginning of the rnd. Work in spiral rib pattern as follows:Rnds 1 - 4: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.Rnds 5 - 8: P1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, end k2, p1.Rnds 9 - 12: *P2, k2; repeat from * to end.Rnds 13 - 16: K1, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, end p2, k1.Work rnds 1 - 16 a total of two times -- 32 rows completed; piece measures about 4-1/4" (11 cm) from beginning.

Thumb openingFor the next 8 rows, the sts will be worked back and forth to create the thumb opening, using both circular needles as if they were straight needles. The circular needles are necessary to accommodate the curve of the fabric tube you have been working so far. Temporarily remove the end-of-rnd stitch marker while working back and forth.Row 1: (WS) Using the second circular needle, turn work and *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.Row 2: (RS) *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.Rows 3 and 4: Repeat Rows 1 and 2.Row 5: K1, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, end p2, k1.Row 6: P1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, end k2, p1.Rows 7 and 8: Repeat Rows 5 and 6.

Upper handAt end of Row 8, place marker to indicate beginning of rnd, and resume working in the rnd on all sts with the RS of the work facing you as for cuff and lower hand. Work Rnds 9 - 16 of spiral rib pattern once, then work Rnds 1 - 2 once -- 50 rnds or rows completed; piece measures about 6-1/2" (16.5 cm) from beginning. Bind off all sts in pattern.

I saw this hat at Banana Republic last year and fell in love with it. But, like most things at BR it was ridiculously overpriced ($50, I think). Since it goes against every moral fiber in my body to pay that much for a hat, I whipped up my own pattern.

Mine:

The Original:

I changed a few things, like using seed stitch for the band instead of garter stitch and making it a little bit longer to cover my ears all the way. And it only cost $5 to make! Take that, Banana Republic!

Knit 13 more rounds (Several people have mentioned that their hats have turned out a little short. I would recommend trying on your hat at this point and seeing if it is your desired length. If not, knit an extra round or two (or three) and then continue with the remaining pattern)

Begin decreasing: k2tog before each marker. Continue to do so until only 7 sts remain.

Now, try on the hat. Pull the button flap until the hat band is to desired fit. Remove hat, holding button flap in place (I used a dpn to keep it in place). Using the tail from the CO sts, stitch the bottom edge of the band and button flap together. Using a needle and thread, attach your button to the button flap.

This is the first pattern I've ever written. Hopefully I explained it okay. If you have any questions please pm me and I'll try to help you out. If anyone makes this hat, please post pictures! I would love to see how they turn out!

P.S.: I added it to Ravelry, too. I'm still learning how to use the site, but it seems pretty awesome so far.

Body and neckEach round is joined with a slp st to first stitch made in that rowCh 2,1) 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook,2) ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc)3) ch 1, (2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc) repeat around (18 sc)4-10) ch 1, sc in each sc around11) ch 1, (sc-dec, sc in next sc) (12 sc)STUFF12) ch 1, (sc-dec, sc in next sc) (8 sc)Body is not complete..DO NOT finish off, moving onto neck,STUFF as you go.13-20) ch 1, sc in each sc around.FO leaving longer tail for sewing.

HeadEach round is joined with a slp st to first stitch made in that rowCh 21) 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook2) ch 1, sc in each sc around3) ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in last sc (9 sc)4) ch 1, (2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc) repeat 3 MORE times, sc in last sc (13sc)5-9) ch 1, sc in each sc aroundIt is easiest if you emboider nose now,10) ch 1, (sc-dec, sc in next sc) repeat 3 MORE times, sc in last sc. (9 sc)STUFF, sew or emboider eyes is easiest if done here.11) ch 1, sc-dec around, end with sc in last scFO

Use tail to sew hole shut.Fold pipe cleaner in half. Push folded pipe cleaner up neck of camel and into body, leaving about Â½ inch sticking out. Place head on end of neck, pushing remaining pipe cleaner into head. Make sure seam side of head is used as the bottom of head. Trim pipe cleaner if necessary. Sew head to neck.

Ears (make 2)Ears are done in continous spiral, do not join at round endCh 21) 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook2) sc in each sc aroundSlp st to next sc,FO

Sew ears towards back of head.Sew or emboider eyes on head

First hump Rows are done in continous spiral, do not join at round endCh 21) 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook2) (2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc) repeat around (9 sc)3) (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc) repeat around (12 sc)Slp st to next scFO

Second hump:Repeat directions for first hump EXCEPT do not slp st to next sc at end of round 3..instead,4) sc in first 4 sc, dc in next sc, trc in next sc, now, take first hump made,(NO NOT fasten off!) and trc in any sc on first hump, Wornking on first hump dc in next sc, sc in next 8 sc, dc in next sc, trc in next sc, Working now on second hump, trc in first unused sc on second hump (this will be the first one immediately after the trc made before joining the first hump), dc in next sc, sc in last 4 sc.Slp stch to next scFO leaving LONG tail.

Sew hump to camel body, stuffing slightly under the hump if desired.

Feet (make 4)Feet are made in one continous spiral, do not join round ends A stich marker may be helpful here.Chain 2,1) 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook2) IN BACK LOOPS ONLY. ch 1, sc in each sc around3-6) sc in each sc around.FO leaving longer tail for sewing.

Stuff legs if desired. (I didnâ€™t do this to mine, and it still stands up!)Sew legs to camel

Did You Knowâ€¦ that pumpkin is one of the vegetables allowed during Atkinsâ€™ Induction phase?

Did You Knowâ€¦that pumpkin is chock full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants?

Did You Knowâ€¦that pie is not the only way to cook pumpkin?

Pumpkin is one of those vegetables that is almost emblematic of fall â€“ it makes us think of harvest, of holidays, of frost, of lengthening nights and the oncoming winter. And yet, the only way it usually gets to the table is in a store-bought pie, or perhaps a can of pie filling that goes in a pie we made ourselves. But pumpkin can be so much more - and since pumpkin keeps for 6 months whole or for years in a can, it can be a year-round addition to our diets.

Pumpkin is chock full â€˜o goodness. You can tell by its bright color that itâ€™s going to be going to be good for you! Not only is pumpkin loaded with Vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids, particularly alpha and beta-carotenes, itâ€™s a good source of Vitamins C, K, and E, and lots of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iron.

The seeds are also worth latching on to. Pumpkin seeds, also called pepitas, are loaded with minerals, seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect, and may even help protect against prostate cancer and osteoporosis. A quarter cup has about 5 grams of effective carb and 1.5 grams of fiber.

SelectionFor cooking, you want a pumpkin that is heavy for its size. The lighter ones are drier, with a bigger open space in the middle. For the most part, stay away from the large pumpkins when selecting a pumpkin for eating â€“ 2-5 lbs is about right.

StoragePumpkins can keep for a long time in a cool (ideally 50-60 degrees) dry place. Put newspapers underneath just in case though! Once the pumpkin is cut open, you need to use it within a couple of days (or freeze it) as it can mold quickly. Cooked, itâ€™s fine in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Basic Easy Cooking TechniquesFor pumpkin puree: Remember, you heard it here first: you donâ€™t need to cut the pumpkin open before you roast it. Iâ€™m not kidding. Just jab it with a knife once or twice to vent the steam, put the whole darned thing on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven at 350 F for an hour or so, until you can easily stick a knife into it. (Once I had to leave in the middle of this, so I turned off the oven after 20 minutes, and when I came back several hours later it was perfectly cooked.) Cool, then scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff with a spoon, or pull it out with tongs. It is SO MUCH EASIER than when it is raw!

If you want chunks, youâ€™ll have to cut into it raw (though I have wondered if â€œpar-roastingâ€ would work to make the skin easier to hack into). Or find a store where you can buy it already in chunks. Or beg the produce guy at your local market to do it. Explain that people (e.g. you) would gladly pay more if someone else had done the wrestling.

For the seeds, let them dry on paper towels, then oil and salt them (and any other seasonings you want) and slow roast them in a 250 F oven until they smell good â€“ about 45-60 minutes. Stir them every 15 minutes or so.

Ways to Eat PumpkinPumpkin can be used in any squash recipe, but it has a depth of flavor that many other winter squashes donâ€™t. Itâ€™s very versatile! Of course, we have to have pumpkin pie, so do try my low carb version. But here are some recipes for soup, a main dish, and even breakfast:

People love this pie. People have told me it was the best they've even had, and they didn't know it was low carb or sugar-free (or gluten-free). You must make it with the pecan crust for full impact. That said, it's great on its own as a baked pudding, even for breakfast.

4) Put the pie in the oven and immediately turn the oven down to 375 F. In 15 minutes, turn the oven down to 300 F. (This cooks the crust, so it isn't soggy, but then allows the custard to bake more slowly.) Bake until almost set in the middle, about 30-40 minutes more. If it starts to crack a bit around the edges, it's probably done.

(This is really more like a cake. For a more traditional bread taste and texture, use only 1/2 can (6 oz.) of pumpkin and 1/3 cup Splenda)

Preheat oven to 375 degreesOil loaf pan. Mix all ingredients and pour in.Bake for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.I have been using a Pyrex square baking dish and it takes approximately 50 minutes to cook.

I'm trying to get ideas for low carb, low fat, etc recipes for fall... since fall and winter is always when I gain weight..I have found a few I'd like to share.. here is the first one!!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes?! On a low-carb diet?! Many of us miss the flavor of sweetpotatoes in casseroles and more - especially in the Fall. The good news isthat by adding just 1/2 cup of real baked sweet potato to a couple of morecarb-friendly relatives (pumpkin and squash), we can extend the dish andfool the tastebuds! A finishing sprinkling of our low-carb marshmallows andyou'll think you're cheating - but you're NOT!

In large mixing bowl, stir together mashed sweet potato, pumpkin, and mashedsquash (any summer squash is acceptable here). If some lumps remain, don'tworry about it - they add a little character to the dish! In a separate bowlbeat eggs with xanthan gum, Splenda and Brown Sugar Twin. Add heavy creamand mix (with hand mixer) until well mixed and beginning to thicken.

Add egg/cream mixture to sweet potato mixture and stir by hand to mixlightly. Add salt, spices and food color (if you wish to use it.) Mix todistribute. You may wish to taste here for your sweetness and spicepreference. If more is needed, add it now.

Spoon mixture into buttered casserole dish and smooth to even out. Cutremainder of 1/2 stick butter (after using some to butter dish) into thinpats and distribute them over top of casserole. Optionally, you can sprinklea bit of extra cinnamon on top. Bake for 35-45 minutes until browned atedges and cracking a bit. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes beforesprinkling with marshmallows.

NOTE: You can top this dish with artificially sweetened meringue instead ofmarshmallows if you prefer. If you use meringue, give the dish a few momentsunder the broiler to brown the meringue tips before serving.

Friday, September 24, 2010

What to call this sweater? Let me think… I’ve been designing for over 25 years so after a while, I just run out of ideas. So, in honor of my daughter (the volunteered model) and her dedication to her profession (high school history teacher), I’m calling this one “Hey, Teach!”

When I came up with this idea, I could see wearing a tank top underneath it in a very casual way. So I sent her off to get ready for the photo expecting that. True to her own style, she totally dressed it up with a collared blouse, turning this easy-wear garment into a playtime-to-office piece in an instant.

I am particularly fond of this “baby doll” fit. I think it flatters all shapes – it adds hips to the boyish figure, and hides hips of the pear-shaped. You could even work a drawstring in and out of the first row of lace for an added detail.

The yoke lace pattern is easy enough to master but requires you to pay attention to your YOs and matching decreases throughout the underarm and neck shaping so you don’t end up with too many or too few stitches.

I used 2nd Time Cotton, an eco-friendly recycled cotton yarn, as a nod to Mother Earth.

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

Shaping Note:Within the lace pattern, each [yo] is paired with a decrease. When increasing or decreasing at edge of work (ie. when shaping armholes and neckline), be sure to keep lace pattern correct. Do not work a [yo] if there are not enough sts to work its accompanying decrease.

S2KP: Slip next 2 sts to right needle as if to knit them together; k next st, pass both slipped stitches, together, over stitch just knit. Forms a centered double decrease.

Shape Neckline:Next Row [RS]: Work 13[15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23] sts in pattern, place last 14[15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19] sts on st holder. Work remaining sts in pattern until work measures same as back to shoulder. BO all sts.

RIGHT FRONT CO 37[41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61] sts. Work 4 rows in 1x1 Rib, ending with a WS row. Work in stockinette st until work measures 8 inches from CO edge, ending with a RS row.

Sew buttons to button band opposite buttonholes. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve seams and side seams. Weave in any remaining ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Hélène Rush is the mom of both Kelly-Anne, the model in the photos, and Knit One, Crochet Too, the yarn company. Her sons Jonathan and Benjamin both work with her but have yet to be converted into knitters (they do however know their yarns!).

She’s been living with yarn since learning how to knit from the nuns in Montreal in first grade. She must have been a very good girl because she gets to play with yarn all day now.

Finishing

I found myself wondering just what I could do with all that cheap, bright acrylic yarn one finds in craft shops. I also found myself thinking about Halloween. Add in a bad hair day and this is what I got.

This wig is worked from the bottom up, the bound off edge is the center part.

model/photos:Megan Reardon

SIZE

One size fits all/Adult

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

8 inches wide at widest point when flat (unstretched)11 inches long when flat

WigUsing straight needles or one set of circulars, cast on 96 sts.Work in 2 x 2 rib until the piece is as long as the distance between the bottom of your chin, and your eyebrow (about 6.5"), ending with a WS row. NOTE: The extra stitches along the edge of the work will balance the width of the first and last ribs. Later on, when the bangs are added, these stitches will become parts of purl ribs.

If more length in the main body of the wig is desired, work more rows at this point. Next row [RS]: work as before, but slip the first and last stitch.

BangsWith RS facing and using backward loop cast on, loosely CO 32 sts. The backward loop cast on allows for plenty of stretch.Div sts onto DPNs or circulars and join to work in the round with the RS of the wig facing out, being careful not to twist stitches. The first stitch will be a p; follow rib pattern after that. Work in 2x2 rib for 10 rows.NOTE: The extra stitches that were at the beginning and end of the work up to this point become parts of purl ribs where the bangs join - see diagram A below for example.

If more length in the bangs is desired, work more rows at this point.

Work Decreases Using diagram B below as a guide, rearrange stitches on needles and add stitch markers. (Diagram B shows placement for both double-pointed and circular needles.) When placing markers, begin counting from center front of bangs, which falls in the center of a purl rib.

NOTE: Decreases will be worked identically at the front and back of the wig. Markers have been placed one stitch away from decreases instead of directly next to decreases, for ease of working.

Begin decrease round by working decreases over bangs.Decrease Round *Work in rib as set to marker color 1, slip marker, k1, ssk, rib as set to 3 sts before marker color 2, k2tog, k1, slip marker. Rep from *. Work this round every round until 6 sts rem between markers. Work to marker color 1 (right edge of bangs section). Next Round: *Sl marker, k1, ssk, k2tog, k1, sl marker, [p2tog, k2] to 2 sts before next marker, p2tog. Repeat from * once. Remove st marker, k1, sl1, transfer the first half of the work (between center front and center back) to one DPN or circular needle, removing st markers, transfer the second half of the work to a second needle, cut yarn, leaving a 2-foot length for use in binding off. Carefully flip work inside out, in preparation for working a 3-needle BO from the WS. Work 3-needle BO tightly. (A crochet hook works well in place of a third needle.)

This may be called a "Tuck-in or a Bow-knot" scarf. This little scarf uses less than 50 grams of knitting worsted. You can knit it in any type of yarn, but for an adult, I prefer worsted weight.

Using 4.5 mm straight needles, cast on 3 sts.

Row 1: Increase 1 st in the first st. K to end of row.

Repeat 1st row to 24 sts on needle.

K 19 rows in garter st.

To make slot: *K1, slip next st onto a stitch holder, keeping this stitch at the back of the work. Repeat from * to end of row. Stitches are divided, half on needle and half on stitch holder.

Working on stitches on needle, work 16 rows in k1, p1 ribbing. Break yarn, and leave these sts on a spare needle.

Slip stitches from holder and work 16 rows in k1, p1 ribbing. Do not break yarn.

Next row: (To close slot and increase stitches). *K tog 1 stitch from needle and 1 stitch from spare needle. Knit next stitch from front needle, then next stitch from back needle. (This increases 1 stitch.)

Repeat from * until there are 2 stitches left on each needle. (K tog one stitch from each needle) twice. 17 stitches on needle.

K even in garter stitch until work measures about 12 inches from slot closing. (I tend not to measure this, but to wrap it around my neck to make sure that it is long enough when stretched slightly.)

A little something to warm you up on a crisp fall day or when the boss hasn't figured out how to turn down the air conditioner.

Use it as a lap blanket or something to snuggle around you and your sweetie to keep slightly toasty at the game, pair it with jeans and a sweater or an elegant dress and make everyone think you're oh-so-stylish and talented with this simple tweedy lace wrap.